The Lugoff Fire Department escorted Santa Claus for evening visits through Lugoff neighborhoods earlier this month. The department also sponsored the opportunity for youngsters to have their photos taken with Santa Claus at the fire station.

Farmers Home Furniture has opened its doors in Springdale Plaza, offering a selection of furniture, appliances, electronics, bedding and outdoor equipment. Manager of the new retail business is Steve Waltz; credit manager is Deron Croft. Established in 1949, Farmers Home Furniture is headquartered in Dublin, Ga., and has 167 locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The new Kershaw County store, located at 1670 Springdale Drive, Suite 13B, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The phone number 425-1100. "Farmers Home Furniture ...

Food for the Soul Soup Kitchen and Emergency Shelter will open the doors of its new 5,000-square-foot facility at 110 E. DeKalb St. in Camden to serve its first meal Friday, Christmas Eve. The public is invited to join in the meal and to tour the new center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A refurbished 1921 Seagraves pumper truck cruises down Broad Street carrying a crew from the Camden Fire Department during the Kershaw County Christmas Parade Dec. 11. Onboard the pumper were Camden Fire Chief John Bowers and his wife, Gwen. Capt. Johnny Mullis was at the wheel, accompanied by his 6-year-old daughter, Savannah.

A special award for the best use of mud in an entry will be presented at the Boykin Christmas Parade's 17th edition Sunday. This year's festivities, which begin at 2 p.m., will also feature a first-ever event -- a marriage ceremony during the parade. The parade will also showcase its traditional country-themed lineup while emphasizing the "Spirit of Boykin." For more information, call parade co-chairman Hank Kerfoot or parade administrator Chris Amerson at 713-8873.

Regulatory relief, health care, government restructuring, tax reform, and economic and workforce development are all on the S.C. Chamber of Commerce's 2011 competitiveness agenda. State Chamber Vice President of Public Policy Darrell Scott presented the agenda to the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce at its meeting Thursday morning.

The earliest Christmas trees were decorated in 1510. Martin Luther is said to have seen the stars shining through the branches of the trees one night. He decorated a small tree with candles to share the scene with his children.

Did you ever cut apple slices and a few minutes later find them all turning brown? When an apple is cut, and air gets to the inside, it turns brown. That's what apples do. The apple is probably still safe to eat, but it's not pretty!